Back to EveryPatent.com
United States Patent |
5,579,555
|
Pearse
|
December 3, 1996
|
Squeegee assembly for floor cleaning machine
Abstract
A squeegee assembly for use in a floor cleaning machine includes a housing
which includes a forward plate and a rearward plate. The opposed ends of
the forward plate and the rearward plate converge toward one another to
form an interior wedge. One or more squeegee blades are disposed within
the housing of the squeegee assembly adjacent to the forward and rearward
plates thereof. A pair of wedge bars are provided within the housing of
the squeegee assembly for releasably securing the squeegee blades thereto.
The wedge bars are preferably identical, each having an outer shape which
corresponds to the shape of the interior wedge defined by the forward and
rearward plates. A wedge member is provided for moving the wedge bars
between an engaged position, wherein the squeegee blades are frictionally
engaged between the wedge bars and the forward and rearward plates, and a
disengaged position, wherein the squeegee blades are not frictionally
engaged between the wedge bars and the forward and rearward plates. The
wedge member is formed generally in the shape of a trapezoid, having a
relatively short upper surface and a relatively long lower surface which
are connected together by a pair of oppositely angled side surfaces. To
secure the squeegee blades to the housing, bolts are tightened which draw
the wedge member upwardly toward the top plate of the housing. As this
occurs, the angled side surfaces of the wedge member engage downwardly
facing tapered surfaces formed on the inner ends of the wedge bars,
causing the wedge bars to move outwardly apart from one another. When so
moved, the wedge bars are moved toward the forward and rearward plates so
as to frictionally engage the squeegee blades therebetween.
Inventors:
|
Pearse; Stephen C. (Toledo, OH)
|
Assignee:
|
The National Super Service Company (Toledo, OH)
|
Appl. No.:
|
618076 |
Filed:
|
March 18, 1996 |
Current U.S. Class: |
15/320; 15/50.1; 15/98; 15/401 |
Intern'l Class: |
A47L 009/06; A47L 011/30 |
Field of Search: |
15/50.1,98,320,322,401,245
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
1849663 | Mar., 1932 | Finnell | 15/320.
|
3408673 | Nov., 1968 | Oxel | 15/98.
|
3833961 | Sep., 1974 | Fortman et al.
| |
3939518 | Feb., 1976 | Whitney et al. | 15/98.
|
4037289 | Jul., 1977 | Dojan | 15/320.
|
4293971 | Oct., 1981 | Block | 15/98.
|
4339841 | Jul., 1982 | Waldhauser et al. | 15/359.
|
4429433 | Feb., 1984 | Burgoon | 15/50.
|
4483041 | Nov., 1984 | Waldhauser et al. | 15/359.
|
4619010 | Oct., 1986 | Burgoon | 15/50.
|
4805256 | Feb., 1989 | Mason et al. | 15/320.
|
4805258 | Feb., 1989 | Sitarski et al. | 15/385.
|
4809396 | Mar., 1989 | Houser | 15/320.
|
4817233 | Apr., 1989 | Waldhauser | 15/320.
|
4825500 | May., 1989 | Basham et al. | 15/319.
|
4854005 | Aug., 1989 | Wiese et al. | 15/320.
|
4893375 | Jan., 1990 | Girman et al. | 15/321.
|
4926515 | May., 1990 | Lynn et al. | 15/4.
|
4937911 | Jul., 1990 | Picchietti, Sr. et al. | 15/320.
|
4942638 | Jul., 1990 | Helm | 15/50.
|
5088151 | Feb., 1992 | Legatt | 15/385.
|
5155876 | Oct., 1992 | Whitaker | 15/320.
|
5165134 | Nov., 1992 | Moore | 15/98.
|
5239720 | Aug., 1993 | Wood et al. | 15/4.
|
5265300 | Nov., 1993 | O'Hara et al. | 15/49.
|
5319828 | Jun., 1994 | Waldhauser et al. | 15/320.
|
5369838 | Dec., 1994 | Wood et al. | 15/320.
|
5377382 | Jan., 1995 | Bores et al. | 15/340.
|
5383251 | Jan., 1995 | Whitaker et al. | 15/320.
|
Primary Examiner: Spisich; Mark
Attorney, Agent or Firm: MacMillan, Sobanski & Todd
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/541,827,
filed Oct. 10, 1995, now abandoned.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A squeegee assembly comprising:
first and second plates having ends, said first and second plates
positioned so that said ends of said first and second plates generally
converge;
a squeegee blade positioned between said first and second plates;
a wedge bar positioned between said squeegee blade and said second plate,
said wedge bar having an end with an angled surface and first and second
converging surfaces; and
a wedge member having an angled surface which is positioned adjacent to
said angled surface of said wedge bar, wherein movement of said wedge
member in a first direction causes said wedge bar to move because of the
cooperating angled surfaces of said wedge bar and said wedge member in a
second direction, the movement of said wedge bar in said second direction
causing said first surface of said wedge bar to move toward said squeegee
blade, and said second surface of said wedge bar to move toward said
second plate, thereby securing said squeegee blade to the squeegee
assembly.
2. The squeegee assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said second direction
is generally normal to said first direction.
3. The squeegee assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second
converging surfaces of said wedge bar converge at approximately the same
convergence as said first and second plates.
4. The squeegee assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said angled surface of
said wedge bar is a tapered surface.
5. The squeegee assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said wedge bar is
supported for sliding movement relative to said first and second plates.
6. The squeegee assembly defined in claim 1 wherein a pair of wedge bars is
positioned between said squeegee blade and said second plate, each of said
wedge bars having an end with an angled surface and first and second
converging surfaces, and wherein said wedge member has a pair of angled
surfaces positioned adjacent to said angled surfaces of said wedge bars,
wherein movement of said wedge member in a first direction causes each of
said wedge bars to move in a second direction, because of the cooperating
angled surfaces of each of said wedge bars and the angled surfaces of said
wedge member, the movement of each of said wedge bars in said second
direction causing said first surface of each of said wedge bars to move
toward said squeegee blade, and said second surface of each of said wedge
bars to move toward said second plate, thereby securing said squeegee
blade to the squeegee assembly.
7. The squeegee assembly defined in claim 6 wherein said wedge bars are
substantially identical in shape.
8. The squeegee assembly defined in claim 6 wherein said wedge member moves
generally upward and said wedge bars move generally outward and apart from
one another.
9. The squeegee assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said ends of said first
and second plates generally converge because each of said first and second
plates is generally arcuate in shape, and the radius of curvature of said
first plate is larger than the radius of curvature of said second plate.
10. The squeegee assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said wedge member is
formed generally in the shape of a trapezoid.
11. The squeegee assembly defined in claim 1 wherein first and second
squeegee blades are positioned between said first and second plates, said
wedge bar is positioned between said squeegee blades, and movement of said
wedge bar in said second direction causes said first and second surfaces
of said wedge bar to move toward said first and second squeegee blades,
thereby securing said squeegee blades to the squeegee assembly.
12. The squeegee assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said angled surface of
said wedge bar is a downwardly facing surface, and said angled surface of
said wedge member is an upwardly facing surface.
13. The squeegee assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second
plates are vertically oriented, and a horizontally extending top plate is
positioned between said first and second plates to provide a housing which
defines an enclosed space which faces downwardly.
14. The squeegee assembly defined in claim 13 wherein said wedge member is
releasably secured to said top plate by a fastener extending therebetween,
and said fastener extends through a vertically extending slot formed in
said end of said wedge bar.
15. The squeegee assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said ends of said
first and second plates converge to form a wedge, and said first and
second converging surfaces of said wedge bar taper to a point which is
similar in shape to said wedge.
16. The squeegee assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said first direction
is generally upward and said second direction is generally outward.
17. A squeegee assembly comprising:
first and second plates having ends, said first and second plates
positioned so that said ends of said first and second plates generally
converge;
a squeegee blade positioned between said first and second plates;
a wedge bar positioned between said squeegee blade and said second plate,
said wedge bar having an end with a tapered surface and first and second
converging surfaces, converging at approximately the same convergence as
said first and second plates; and
a wedge member having an angled surface which is positioned adjacent to
said tapered surface of said wedge bar, wherein movement of said wedge
member in a first direction causes said wedge bar to move in a second
direction which is generally normal to said first direction, because of
the cooperating tapered surface of said wedge bar and angled surface of
said wedge member, the movement of said wedge bar in said second direction
causing said first surface of said wedge bar to move toward said squeegee
blade, and said second surface of said wedge bar to move toward said
second plate, thereby securing said squeegee blade to the squeegee
assembly.
18. A floor cleaning machine for hard surfaces comprising:
a movable chassis; and
a floor cleaning mechanism carried on said chassis, said floor cleaning
mechanism including an applicator for applying liquid to said floor and a
vacuum structure for removing liquid from said floor, said vacuum
structure including a squeegee assembly comprising:
first and second plates having ends, said first and second plates
positioned so that said ends of said first and second plates generally
converge;
a squeegee blade positioned between said first and second plates;
a wedge bar positioned between said squeegee blade and said second plate,
said wedge bar having an end with an angled surface and first and second
converging surfaces; and
a wedge member having an angled surface which is positioned adjacent to
said angled surface of said wedge bar, wherein movement of said wedge
member in a first direction causes said wedge bar to move because of the
cooperating angled surfaces of said wedge bar and said wedge member in a
second direction, the movement of said wedge bar in said second direction
causing said first surface of said wedge bar to move toward said squeegee
blade, and said second surface of said wedge bar to move toward said
second plate, thereby securing said squeegee blade to the squeegee
assembly.
19. The floor cleaning machine defined in claim 18 wherein said second
direction is generally normal to said first direction.
20. The floor cleaning machine defined in claim 18 wherein said first and
second converging surfaces of said wedge bar converge at approximately the
same convergence as said first and second plates.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to floor cleaning machines and in
particular to an improved structure for releasably supporting one or more
squeegee blades on a squeegee assembly carded by such a floor cleaning
machine.
Floor cleaning machines are well known structures which are commonly used
in commercial and industrial facilities to clean relatively large floor
surfaces. A typical floor cleaning machine includes a chassis which
carries a floor cleaning mechanism thereon. A plurality of wheels are
provided on the chassis to facilitate movement of the floor cleaning
mechanism along the floor. In some instances, a drive mechanism is
provided on the chassis to assist the operator in moving the floor
cleaning machine during use. A number of different floor cleaning
mechanisms are known in the art.
Some of these floor cleaning mechanisms are adapted for use on soft
surfaces, such as carpet, while other floor cleaning mechanisms are
adapted for use on hard surfaces, such as tile. In either event, many
floor cleaning mechanisms include some means for applying a liquid
substance to the floor surface. As the floor cleaning mechanism passes
over the floor, the liquid is applied thereto. Because it would be
undesirable to leave the floor in a wet condition, the floor cleaning
machine typically includes a vacuum structure mounted at the rear thereof
for removing substantially all of the liquid from the floor.
In those floor cleaning machines which are adapted for use on hard
surfaces, the vacuum structure typically includes a squeegee assembly. A
typical squeegee assembly includes a housing which carries a flexible
squeegee blade thereon. The squeegee housing and blade extend across the
entire width of the rear of the floor cleaning machine. The squeegee blade
extends downwardly from the housing and resiliently engages the floor,
sliding along the floor as the floor cleaning machine is moved during use.
The squeegee blade functions to gather virtually all of the liquid on the
floor within the housing. The vacuum structure sucks the gathered liquid
up from the squeegee assembly and stores it within the floor cleaning
machine for later disposal. A number of squeegee assemblies of this
general type are known in the art.
Because of its constant sliding engagement with the floor during use and
because of the relative softness of the flexible material used to form it,
the squeegee blade must be periodically replaced to insure good
performance. Unfortunately, it has been found to be relatively time
consuming and difficult to change squeegee blades in known squeegee
assemblies. Also, it has been found that known squeegee assemblies contain
a relatively large number of parts, which increases expense. Accordingly,
it would desirable to provide an improved structure for a squeegee
assembly which is simple and inexpensive in structure and operation, and
further allows the squeegee blade to be replaced in a relatively simple
manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved structure for a squeegee assembly
used in a floor cleaning machine. The squeegee assembly includes a housing
which includes a top plate, a forward plate, and a rearward plate which
are connected together to define a generally inverted-U shaped enclosed
space. The opposed ends of the forward plate and the rearward plate
converge toward one another to form an interior wedge. One or more
squeegee blades are disposed within the housing of the squeegee assembly
adjacent to the forward and rearward plates thereof. A pair of wedge bars
are provided within the housing of the squeegee assembly for releasably
securing the squeegee blades thereto. The wedge bars are preferably
identical, each having an outer shape which corresponds to the shape of
the interior wedge defined by the forward and rearward plates. A wedge
member is provided for moving the wedge bars between an engaged position,
wherein the squeegee blades are frictionally engaged between the wedge
bars and the forward and rearward plates, and a disengaged position,
wherein the squeegee blades are not frictionally engaged between the wedge
bars and the forward and rearward plates. The wedge member is formed
generally in the shape of a trapezoid, having a relatively short upper
surface and a relatively long lower surface which are connected together
by a pair of oppositely angled side surfaces. To secure the squeegee
blades to the housing, bolts are tightened which draw the wedge member
upwardly toward the top plate of the housing. As this occurs, the angled
side surfaces of the wedge member engage downwardly facing tapered
surfaces formed on the inner ends of the wedge bars, causing the wedge
bars to move outwardly apart from one another. When so moved, the wedge
bars are moved toward the forward and rearward plates so as to
frictionally engage the squeegee blades therebetween.
Various objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to
those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a floor cleaning machine including a
squeegee assembly in accordance with this invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded rear perspective view of the chassis mounting bracket
and squeegee assembly of the floor cleaning machine illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged rear end sectional elevational view of the central
portion of the squeegee assembly illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 shown in a
disengaged position, wherein the squeegee blades may be inserted and
removed.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional elevational view of the squeegee assembly
taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3, wherein the wedge block and bolts have
been omitted for clarity.
FIG. 5 is a rear end sectional elevational view of the central portion of
the squeegee assembly similar to FIG. 3 shown in an engaged position,
wherein the squeegee blades are frictionally engaged for use.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional elevational view of the squeegee assembly
taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 5, wherein the wedge block and bolts have
been omitted for clarity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a floor
cleaning machine, indicated generally at 10, in accordance with this
invention. The floor cleaning machine 10 is generally conventional in the
art, and only those portions of the floor cleaning machine 10 which are
necessary for a complete understanding of this invention will be described
and illustrated. The illustrated floor cleaning machine 10 is a floor
scrubbing machine, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that this invention may be used with many other types of floor
cleaning machines. The illustrated floor cleaning machine 10 includes a
chassis 11 having an outer housing 12 supported thereon. The rear end of
the chassis 11 of the floor cleaning machine 10 includes a mounting
bracket 11a having a pair of spaced apart forks 11b (see FIG. 2) for a
purpose which will be explained in detail below.
The floor cleaning machine 10 carries a number of components thereof for
cleaning the floor. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of rotatably
driven brushes 13 (only one is illustrated) are carded on the forward end
of the chassis 11. The floor cleaning machine 10 also includes a fluid
reservoir 14 for storing a quantity of a liquid cleaning substance
therein. Liquid from the reservoir is drawn through an inlet hose 14a by a
liquid pump 15 and sprayed through an outlet hose 15a on the floor
adjacent to the brushes 13. The brushes 13 scrub the liquid onto the floor
to remove dirt therefrom. To collect the dirty liquid from the floor, a
vacuum pump 16 is provided on the chassis 11. The vacuum pump is connected
through a hose 16a to a recovery tank 17 which is also carried on the
chassis 11. The recovery tank 17 is, in turn, connected through a hose 17a
to a squeegee assembly, indicated generally at 20. The structure and
operation of the squeegee assembly 20 will be described in detail below.
Briefly, however, when the vacuum pump 16 is operated, liquid on the floor
is sucked up through the squeegee assembly 20 through the hose 17a for
collection in the recovery tank 17. The structure of the floor cleaning
machine 10 thus far described is conventional in the art.
Referring now to FIG. 2, the structure of the squeegee assembly 20 is
illustrated in detail. As shown therein, the squeegee assembly 20 includes
a housing which is formed from a top plate 21, a forward plate 22 (see
FIGS. 4 and 6), and a rearward plate 23. The three plates 21, 22, and 23
of the housing are preferably formed from a strong rigid material, such as
steel. The forward plate 22 and the rearward plate 23 are vertically
oriented and can be secured to the horizontal top plate 21 by any
conventional means, such as by welding. As a result, the housing of the
squeegee assembly 20 has a generally inverted-U cross sectional shape and
defines an enclosed space which faces downwardly toward the floor.
The illustrated housing for the squeegee assembly 20 is gently arcuate in
shape. To accomplish this, the forward plate 22 and the rearward plate 23
are formed to extend along respective radii of curvature. In the
illustrated embodiment, the radius of curvature of the forward plate 22 is
somewhat larger than the radius of curvature of the rearward plate 23. As
a result, the spacing between the forward plate 22 and the rearward plate
23 is at a maximum at the center of the squeegee assembly 20 and a minimum
at the opposed ends of the squeegee assembly 20. Thus, the opposed ends of
the forward plate 22 and the rearward plate 23 converge toward one another
to form an interior wedge. The purpose for this converging structure will
be explained below.
A relatively large central opening 21a(see FIGS. 3 and 5) is formed through
the top plate 21 of the housing of the squeegee assembly 20. A pair of
side openings 21b(see FIGS. 3 and 5) are formed through the top plate 21
of the housing adjacent to the center thereof. The side openings 21b are
located on opposite sides of the central opening 21a. A bushing 24 is
press fit within each of the side openings 21b. Each of the bushings 24 is
hollow and cylindrical in shape, having an inner surface which is
threaded. A pair of slots 21c are formed through the upper surface of the
top plate 21 near the ends thereof. The purposes of the central opening
21a, the side openings 21b having the threaded bushings 24 therein, and
the slots 21c will be described below.
An upstanding vacuum hose mount 25 is secured about the central opening 21a
formed through the top plate 21 of the squeegee assembly 20. The vacuum
hose mount 25 is preferably hollow and cylindrical in shape and extends
vertically upwardly from the top plate 21. The vacuum hose mount 25 is
preferably formed from the same material as the plates 21, 22, and 23 of
the housing and is secured thereto in the same manner. The vacuum hose
mount 25 is provided to facilitate the connection of the vacuum hose 17a
to the squeegee assembly 20. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the vacuum
hose mount 25 and the vacuum hose 17a provide for fluid communication
between the enclosed space defined by the housing of the squeegee assembly
20 and the recovery tank 17 contained within the floor cleaning machine
10. A horizontally oriented mounting plate 26 is secured to the central
portion of the housing of the squeegee assembly 20 and extends forwardly
therefrom. The mounting plate 26 is also preferably formed from the same
material as the plates 21, 22, and 23 of the housing and can be secured
thereto in the same manner. A pair of upwardly extending threaded studs 27
(only one is illustrated) are secured to the mounting plate 26. The studs
27 are provided for releasably securing the squeegee assembly 20 to the
chassis 11 of the floor cleaning machine 10, in a manner which will be
explained in detail below.
A pair of side roller assemblies, indicated generally at 28, are mounted on
the opposed ends of the top plate 21 of the housing of the squeegee
assembly 20. The side roller assemblies 28 are conventional in the art and
are provided to prevent the ends of the housing of the squeegee assembly
20 from scraping along a lower portion of a wall when the floor cleaning
machine 10 is used to clean a portion of a floor near such a wall. A pair
of floor roller assemblies, indicated generally at 29, are mounted on the
rearward plate 23 of the housing of the squeegee assembly 20. The floor
roller assemblies 29 are also conventional in the art and are provided to
prevent the rigid housing of the squeegee assembly 20 from dragging along
the floor when the floor cleaning machine 10 is used.
The squeegee assembly 20 further includes a forward squeegee blade 30 and a
rearward squeegee blade 31. The squeegee blades 30 and 31 are preferably
formed from elongated strips of a flexible, water resistant material, such
as gum rubber. However, the squeegee blades 30 and 31 can be formed from
any conventional material. The forward squeegee blade 30 is disposed
within the enclosed space defined by the housing of the squeegee assembly
20 adjacent to the forward plate 22 thereof. Similarly, the rearward
squeegee blade 31 is disposed within the enclosed space defined by the
housing of the squeegee assembly 20 adjacent to the rearward plate 23 of
the housing of the squeegee assembly 20.
A pair of wedge bars, indicated generally at 32 and 33, are provided for
releasably securing the squeegee blades 30 and 31 to the housing of the
squeegee assembly 20. The wedge bars 32 and 33 are preferably identical in
shape, each being elongated and gently curved in shape. Each of the wedge
bars 32 and 33 has a forwardly facing surface 32a and 33a, respectively,
which has approximately the same radius of curvature as the forward plate
22 of the housing of the squeegee assembly 20. Similarly, each of the
wedge bars 32 and 33 has a rearwardly facing surface 32b and 33b,
respectively, which has approximately the same radius of curvature as the
rearward plate 23 of the housing of the squeegee assembly 20. Thus, the
outer ends of the wedge bars 32 and 33 taper to a point which is similar
in shape to the shape of the interior wedges defined by the opposed ends
of the forward plate 22 and the rearward plate 23.
The inner ends of the wedge bars 32 and 33 terminate in respective
downwardly facing tapered surfaces. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the
inner end of the wedge bar 32 terminates in a downwardly facing tapered
surface 32c, while the inner end of the wedge bar 33 terminates in a
downwardly facing tapered surface 33c. The downwardly facing tapered
surfaces 32c and 33c extend approximately half of the vertical thickness
of the respective wedge bars 32 and 33, and are mirrored by respective
upwardly facing tapered surfaces 32d and 33d. Thus, in the preferred
embodiment, the wedge bar 32 is identical in structure to the wedge bar
33, and the two wedge bars 32 and 33 are oriented in a mirror-image manner
on the squeegee assembly 20. Additionally, the inner ends of the two wedge
bars 32 and 33 have respective vertically extending slots 32e formed
therein, as best shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 6. As will be explained in
further detail below, the wedge bars 32 and 33 are disposed within the
housing of the squeegee assembly 20 between the forward squeegee blade 30
and the rearward squeegee blade 31.
Referring back to FIG. 2, it can be seen that threaded openings 32f and 33f
are respectively formed in the upper surfaces of the wedge bars 32 and 33.
Respective threaded fasteners 35 and 36 extend through the slots 21c
formed through the top plate 21 of the housing of the squeegee assembly 20
to support the wedge bars 32 and 33 thereon. Because the slots 21c extend
laterally somewhat along the respective sides of the top plate 21, it will
be appreciated that the threaded fasteners 35 and 36 can be loosened
somewhat to support the wedge bars 32 and 33 thereon, while permitting a
limited amount of sliding movement relative to the housing of the squeegee
assembly 20. The purpose for this sliding support structure will become
apparent below.
The squeegee assembly 20 further includes a wedge member, indicated
generally at 40 engaged with the wedge bars 32 and 33. The wedge member 40
is provided for moving the wedge bars 32 and 33 between an engaged
position, wherein the squeegee blades 30 and 31 are frictionally engaged
between the wedge bars 32 and 33 and the forward and rearward plates 22
and 23 of the housing of the squeegee assembly 20, and a disengaged
position, wherein the squeegee blades 30 and 31 are not frictionally
engaged between the wedge bars 32 and 33 and the forward and rearward
plates 22 and 23 of the housing of the squeegee assembly 20. To accomplish
this, the wedge member 40 is formed generally in the shape of a trapezoid,
having an upper surface 41 and a lower surface 42 which are connected
together by a pair of oppositely angled side surfaces 43 and 44. The upper
surface 41 is shorter in length than the lower surface 42. Thus, the
angled side surfaces 43 and 44 face upwardly, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and
5. A central opening 40a is formed through the wedge member 40 for a
purpose which will be explained below.
A pair of vertical openings 45 are formed through the wedge member 40. The
openings 45 extend upwardly from the lower surface 42 and respectively
through the angled side surfaces 43 and 44. An inverted bolt 46 extends
through each of the openings 45. Each of the bolts 46 includes a threaded
shank portion which extends upwardly through the openings 45 formed
through the wedge member 40, through the slots 32e and 33e respectively
formed in the ends of the wedge bars 32 and 33, and into threaded
engagement with the threaded bushings 24 secured to the top plate 21 of
the housing of the squeegee assembly 20. In this manner, the wedge member
40 is secured to the housing of the squeegee assembly 20.
As mentioned above, a pair of upwardly extending threaded studs 27 are
secured to the mounting plate 26 for releasably securing the squeegee
assembly 20 to the chassis 11 of the floor cleaning machine 10. Referring
back to FIG. 2, the mounting bracket 11a and spaced apart forks 11b are
illustrated in detail. To install the squeegee assembly 20 on the chassis
11, the mounting plate 26 is moved beneath the mounting bracket 11a such
that the threaded studs 27 extend upwardly through the forks 11b. Then,
enlarged cap nuts 27a are threaded onto the threaded studs 27 and
tightened down against the forks 11b. In this manner, the squeegee
assembly 20 is releasably secured to the mounting plate 11a. The mounting
plate 11a may, if desired, be supported on the chassis 11 for limited
vertical movement in a manner which is well known in the art.
During use, the liquid pump 15 is energized to supply liquid to the brushes
13 of the floor cleaning machine 10. The brushes 13 scrub the liquid onto
the floor to remove dirt therefrom. To collect the dirty liquid from the
floor, the vacuum pump 16 is energized to suck the liquid up through the
central opening 40a of the wedge member 40, the central opening 21a of the
top plate 21, and through the hose 17a to the recovery tank 17 for later
disposal. As all of this is occurring, the floor cleaning machine 10 can
be moved continuously along a floor.
Prior to operating the floor cleaning machine 10 in this manner, however,
it is necessary to install the squeegee blades 30 and 31 on the squeegee
assembly 20. To accomplish this, the components of the squeegee assembly
20 are initially oriented in the disengaged position illustrated in FIGS.
3 and 4. In this disengaged position, the bolts 46 are loosened such that
the wedge member 40 can be moved downwardly away from the top plate 21 of
the housing of the squeegee assembly 20. As a result, the wedge bars 32
and 33 can be moved inwardly toward one another. Such sliding movement of
the wedge bars 32 and 33 can be accomplished easily because they are
supported on the top plate 21 of the housing of the squeegee assembly 20
by the threaded fasteners 35. As discussed above, the threaded fasteners
35 extend through the slots 21c formed through the top plate 21 of the
housing of the squeegee assembly 20 to slidably support the wedge bars 32
and 33 thereon when loosened. When moved inwardly toward one another, the
forwardly facing surfaces 32a and 33a and the rearwardly facing surfaces
32b and 33b of the wedge bars 32 and 33, respectively, are moved away from
the associated forward plate 22 and rearward plate 23 of the housing of
the squeegee assembly 20. Consequently, the squeegee blades 30 and 31 are
not frictionally engaged between the wedge bars 32 and 33 and the forward
and rearward plates 22 and 23 of the housing of the squeegee assembly 20.
In this position, the squeegee blades 30 and 31 can be removed and
installed.
To secure the squeegee blades 30 and 31 to the housing of the squeegee
assembly 20, the bolts 46 are tightened such that the wedge member 40 is
drawn upwardly toward the top plate 21 of the housing of the squeegee
assembly 20. As this occurs, the angled side surfaces 43 and 44 of the
wedge member 40 engage the downwardly facing tapered surfaces 32c and 33c
formed on the inner ends of the wedge bars 32 and 33, respectively.
Consequently, the wedge bars 32 and 33 are moved outwardly apart from one
another. When moved outwardly apart from one another, the forwardly facing
surfaces 32a and 33a and the rearwardly facing surfaces 32b and 33b of the
wedge bars 32 and 33, respectively, are moved toward the associated
forward plate 22 and rearward plate 23 of the housing of the squeegee
assembly 20. Consequently, the squeegee blades 30 and 31 are frictionally
engaged between the wedge bars 32 and 33 and the forward and rearward
plates 22 and 23 of the housing of the squeegee assembly 20.
The wedge bars 32 and 33 do not necessarily extend the entire length of the
squeegee blades 30 and 31. In the illustrated embodiment, the outermost
ends of the squeegee blades 30 and 31 are not frictionally engaged between
the wedge bars 32 and 33 and the forward and rearward plates 22 and 23 of
the housing of the squeegee assembly 20. In this instance, it may be
desirable to provide a supplemental structure for retaining the outermost
ends of the squeegee blades 30 and 31 on the housing of the squeegee
assembly 20. To accomplish this, a pair of threaded fasteners 47 are
provided which extend through respective openings formed through the
forward plate 22, the squeegee blades 30 and 31, and the rearward plate 23
at the outermost ends thereof. The threaded fasteners 47 can be secured to
the housing of the squeegee assembly 20 by conventional nuts (now shown).
As discussed above, the forward plate 22 and the rearward plate 23 are both
curved in the illustrated embodiment, with the radius of curvature of the
forward plate 22 being somewhat larger than the radius of curvature of the
rearward plate 23. However, the forward plate 22 and the rearward plate 23
may be shaped other than as specifically shown and still provide the
converging interior wedge structure. For example, the radius of curvature
of the forward plate 22 can be somewhat smaller than the radius of
curvature of the rearward plate 23. Alternatively, the ends of the forward
plate 22 may extend linearly, while the ends of the rearward plate 23 are
curved gently toward the ends of the forward plate 22 (or vice versa).
Similarly, the ends of the forward plate 22 and the rearward plate 23 may
both be linear in shape, converging toward one another to form an interior
wedge having the general shape of a triangle.
In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principle and
mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in
its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this
invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and
illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.
Top